inonebasket | (no subject)

Maybe they should get a leather necklace instead of chain. The latter seemed to endanger their lives far too many times.

But that was far from Yugi's mind as he watched Yami's hand - watched the fingers flex, the hands press against a solid chest, and the question hit him a second after he was asked. He lifted his head to meet the other's gaze, and he worked his mouth to try and get out an answer, only managing one after stuttering through his first few attempts.

"You're... solid. You have a body... Yours." That wasn't quite an answer, and so he glanced down at the item that hung in front of them. "M... Maybe it was the puzzle..." He offered quietly, clearly just as stunned as the other. All he could do was squeeze his shoulders gently, amazement passing through him as he felt resistance and warmth instead of the odd sensation that came with touching his spiritual self. This was like his dreams, and only the growing pain around his neck made him realize that this was all too real.

A horrible thought occurred to him when Yugi suggested that the puzzle was responsible; would this end when it was removed from one of their necks? Would he go back to being a spirit, intangible?

There was only one way to find out.

Yami, with only slightly trembling hands, ducked his head and moved toward Yugi to give the chain some slack, pulling it over his head and letting it drop so the puzzle settled neatly against Yugi's chest. He closed his eyes, prepared to feel himself removed from the physical world, but when nothing happened for several moments he opened them again.

He was still there. Alive. A short burst of laughter left his mouth, a mixture of shock and joy, and he gazed at Yugi with a childish sort of excitement. "I'm alive."

That same fear shot through him just as Yami started to lift the puzzle, and Yugi even attempted to stop him - "No," he choked out and lifted his hands, but it was too late by then. The item thumped against Yugi's chest, for once seeming cold and ominous to the crouching boy. He couldn't even look. Yugi shut his eyes and gripped the puzzle tightly in both hands, hoping against hope, yet wanting to reassure his other that he was there for him if what they feared was true.

The laughter was the only thing that caused him to open his eyes and let out the breath that he didn't realize he was holding in. Yami was still there. He was solid and there, and the laughter spread to Yugi, causing a smile to spread across his cheeks as he returned it in kind. Happiness was threatening to burst out of his chest, joy for his other self and the excitement that shone in his eyes.

"You're alive..."

Once he realized that he couldn't contain it, he moved himself forward to throw his arms around Yami's torso, his hold only tightening once he felt warm resistance instead of air. "You're alive!"

The air -air!- rushed out of Yami's lungs and he staggered before catching himself with a hand on the floor. The puzzle was digging into his stomach, but that hardly mattered; they were both solid, and here, and not in their rooms or in some spirit world, but in the real, living world. Yugi's world. His world too, for now. Maybe forever.

Yami's hands lit on Yugi's back, unsure for only a split second before he drew the boy up in his arms and shared his excitement. He wasn't sure if they still had a bond, if he was experiencing Yugi's emotions as well as his own, but it didn't matter. He was alive, he could feel things, breathe, and touch the first friend he'd had in thousands of years.

He could stay like this for a thousand more.

Yami was breathing, his muscles were moving to return the hug, the hug itself was real and better than what Yugi imagined. He'd be able to feel the things he did, smell, taste, everything that he couldn't do before because of his limits, both from the puzzle and himself. The thought of this being temporary didn't even occur to Yugi, yet he still felt that they should do everything as quickly as possible. Excitement was bubbling up, enough to make him lift his head from Yami's chest and grin up at him.

"I can't believe it! You're..." Just then, it hit him that the puzzle was pressing tightly against the both of them, and he hastily moved it out of the way with a muttered apology and a glance to the floor. But that moment of insecurity was over just as soon as it started, for Yugi couldn't seem to get enough of the fact that finally, finally he could touch and hold the person who changed his life the moment he stepped into it.

It hit him when Yugi apologized; there was so much to do. So much to prepare. He had no identification- no identity. No clothes, no money, he didn't have anything. Building a life sounded so faraway and unrealistic, and try as he might Yami couldn't wrap his mind fully around it just yet.

He forced himself to focus on just one aspect, just one. Clothes. He wouldn't fit into Yugi's; he was almost a foot taller. He could ask Jounouchi or Honda if he could borrow some possibly, until they solved the problem of money so he could buy his own. Even considering that- where would he live-

More immediate, how would they explain this to Yugi's mother and grandfather? That a stranger who bore a powerful resemblance to their Yugi just suddenly popped into existence? His stomach flipped just thinking about the two of them walking downstairs in matching pajamas and attempting to explain this to Sugoroku. I am a pharaoh several thousand years dead who has been possessing your grandson up until now. Mrrrrm. "...how are we going to tell your family about...this?"

It was with that question that Yugi finally pulled back, but he still held on to Yami's wrists. That was a very good question - Yami had a heartbeat, one that made Yugi's voice catch in his throat. "Uh...

"We could... tell them that you're a fan?" It was a fake suggestion, something to throw out in an attempt to think and strategize, a move that they'd often play when dueling against their enemies. Despite the number of fans that would try to dress up like him, there still wasn't any way to explain why he let him spend the night and wear pajamas similar to his own - goodness, what were they going to do about clothes?

"A crazed fan that snuck into your room and crawled into your bed. I'd be arrested." Thanks but no thanks, Aibou.

Good comeback, but Yugi wasn't done. He frowned and turned possible scenarios in his head. "You're right..." He answered in a distracted tone. A long lost brother? No, his mother would immediately see through that. She could just imagine her telling him that Yugi was the only one she had given birth to early, and those long, terrible hours of pain and fear just to bring him into this world were ones she'd only repeat through stories and guilt trips. The truth? Under no circumstances.

A foreigner? That might work. Yami could've been visiting from somewhere else - transferred to school, met Yugi, realized they were alike enough to pass off as brothers and decided - they decided to spend some time together and they hit it off.

Yugi wasn't sure if the link between their minds and souls was still there, but if it was, all of his ideas and suggestions to himself would be displayed to Yami, some of them in a questioning tone, as if to ask him what else he could think of.

One moment Yami was mulling over how constricting Yugi's pajamas felt -honestly, did he have to dress like it was winter in his own bedroom? Couldn't he just wear pants to sleep in for once?- when suddenly thoughts, feelings and ideas not his own were flooding into his mind.

Well. That answered his "is our bond still there" question, didn't it? Though he seemed to be reliving Yugi's mother guilt-tripping him over his long, agonizing birth and Yami wasn't quite sure how he was supposed to feel about that. Guilt by association? No no, he had to have had his own mother that complained to him about what a pain in the ass he was to push out. Mothers.

Back to the problem at hand. The foreigner thing might work, though why he didn't have a place to stay, any money, any clothes or any ID might crop up sometime during the conversation. Maybe he was mugged? That could work. He sends the idea over Yugi's way, wondering if it would work the same now as it did when he was inside the puzzle.

A smile comes across Yugi's face once he hears the thoughts and feelings from Yami's end. It really did work after all... But back to the situation. Yes, that could work. He was mugged - robbed, with most of his possessions stolen, and that could be their excuse if any questions that touch upon his personal belongings came up. Or- maybe a fire?

There was still a twinge of pain laced within that thought, but it was easily brushed aside, for it was long ago and Yugi knew that it wouldn't happen again. Anyway, a fire could've been unleashed the home he lived in and destroyed everything - or the mugger would work, too. A burglar and a fire? Maybe. What did he think?

"Would you like to add an avalanche and an earthquake onto that too? Maybe if I had hit my head that would explain my amnesia." The response was said aloud, drier than the Sahara, but Yami managed to keep a serious expression despite his budding amusement.

There they were, kneeling on Yugi's bedroom floor in matching pajamas, trying to construct a fake life for Yami to present to his counterpart's family only to have it sound more and more like a soap opera as they went on.

"Just a fire, then." Yugi replied, raising an eyebrow as if was trying to suppress how unimpressed he was. "You-"

He cut himself short as footsteps padded past his room - Sugoroku's. They paused at Yugi's door, making him tense and hold his breath - We aren't ready yet!, but then he let it go once he heard footsteps again.

Thoughts from now on. Just a fire. And I'm letting you stay here for a while.

But then another thought came to him, one that made him look as if someone told him that Christmas was just canceled. That would mean they'd eventually have to find a place for Yami to stay.

Away from him.

For a while.

Which means he'd have to be separated from Yugi. About when that thought crosses his mind, so does Yugi's, and he can feel the depression fall over them both at the same time. It wasn't even so much the question of who he would live with, where he'd live, how he'd earn money to get by that was really so worrisome. More than he wouldn't be with Yugi; wouldn't be able to speak to him whenever he wished, wouldn't share his thoughts or feelings.

...he was lonely just thinking about it.

I suppose I could stay with one of the others as you until I can support myself, Aibou.

No! "No!" The force of it was enough to be thought and spoken, though Yugi had caught himself enough to hiss out the response rather than shout it. His fingers were still around Yami's wrists, and he slid them down to hold his hands instead. He gritted his teeth, staying silent to listen for footsteps, and then sighing when there weren't any.

... No. I don't think grandpa would mind if you stayed with me. We have a guest bedroom and everything!

The thought was both hopeful and sad - that particular room was for his father in the rare times that he would visit. He loved him, he wanted to see him more, he understood that it was impossible, it was still unfair. No, push that away, focus on Yami.

You're staying with me. Okay? ... That's okay, right?

Yugi's vehemence makes Yami feel better, but if there was one thing he was good at it was looking at the darker side of things. Eventually he would have to leave this house, and Yugi's side. He wasn't ready for that kind of separation, not yet. But...he didn't have to consider it just yet, either.

So he sat back on his heels and squeezed Yugi's hands, nodding. Of course. I'm honored to have the privilege of staying at your side, even only for a moment longer.

Only a moment? No, he didn't want that to happen! If Yami having a body of his own meant that he'd have to go away, maybe-

No. Yugi had to shrink back and lower his head over just how selfish that thought was. Who was he to say what Yami had to do? It was all his own choice. And they were both so incredibly lucky to wake up and find that his other had a body of his own, was alive.

... I'm sorry.

Yami might not have heard what spurred the reaction and the apology, and Yugi hoped he didn't. Instead, he shook his head and plowed ahead once more.

So there was a fire, and I'm letting you stay here since we're already close. It'll work. Mom and grandpa wouldn't kick you out if they knew how close we were and what your "life" was like.

It didn't really matter if he could hear what spurred the apology; that Yugi was troubled enough to do so was reason enough for Yami to try and console him. Your family is as kind-hearted as you. I don't want to take advantage of their hospitality, but it doesn't look like I have a choice.

As for us... Yami leaned forward and draped his arms over Yugi's shoulders, pulling him into another hug as he rested his cheek against Yugi's hair. We'll figure something out, Aibou. I said I wanted to stay with you forever, and this doesn't change that feeling in the least.

Yugi had, at first, frozen up from the hug, if only for a second. It was still unexpected, and Yugi wasn't hugged very often. Sure, his friends would sling their arms around his neck, and sure, Rebecca would cling to him, but they were never like this. Just as soon as he tensed, though, he relaxed, shut his eyes and slid his arms around Yami's waist.

And I still feel the same way.

He was right. They'll figure something out. They've done it countless times, even when the situation seemed hopeless, and they'd do it again. They were a team. This was just another tough challenge that they would win.

... The avalanche idea sounds good. For your lost memories. The growing smile and the snort against Yami's chest tells enough about the seriousness of that suggestion.

Lying to Yugi's mother and grandfather wasn't quite as traumatizing as having the fate of the world rest on the outcome of a single duel, but Yami still didn't like the idea. Maybe one day they could tell them the truth.

But until them, he would do what it took to stay with Yugi. We could always go the 'crazed fan' route. The trauma of waking up next to my idol gave me amnesia.

Or maybe you just hit your head too hard while rescuing me from a card game gone horribly wrong. Might as well make you look heroic, right?

At least Sugoroku would believe that, and even sympathize. Even more so if they had said it was from a duel with Kaiba. The thought made Yugi chuckle - Of course he wasn't planning on telling that to his grandfather; he felt bad enough having to lie about the reason for Yami's existence in the first place. It felt a little better on his conscience to joke around about it some.

I think we'll be surprised. Your grandfather is a lot sharper than he lets on; he might already know about me. Yami shrugged. He wasn't sure if Sugoroku really did know about him already, but it wasn't as if he and Yugi were exceptionally discreet. They would take advantage of the fact that people often didn't see or hear what they didn't want to. It was easier to believe that their minds were playing tricks on them than to believe that a boy had two souls.

If he does ask, we can always say I don't remember how I lost my memories. It's the truth, anyway.

It was true. Yugi's mother had caught him yelling at Yami once, though that was definitely his fault. If one has another soul living inside their head, one does not exclaim to it to stop teasing him in the middle of the hallway and right front of his mother. He was sure that she told his grandfather about it, but apparently, nothing came out of it. It was never brought up again.

He nodded his agreement; They'd have to be prepared for surprises. If not, all of their planning might crumble away. It'd make the most sense, too. All right... That sounds like the game plan.

It explained everything; The missing possessions, the amnesia, and they could write off the similarities as something even they couldn't figure out. After all, people could find others who looked similar to them every day.

As he finally leaned out of Yami's embrace and leaned back on his hands to really bring their plan together, he let his head tilt as he took in his other's appearance. Solid. Breathing. Definitely more muscular, though their adventures together certainly did something to Yugi's physique, too. His eyes were sharper, his pose was much more confident than his was, and he looked as if he laid himself out on the roof and got a tan. Now that they were face-to-face like this, it wasn't hard to see the differences between them.

I still can't believe this is really happening. A smile began to form as he thought of everything they could finally do together. Oh, if only they could just leave right now and not have to worry about explaining everything just yet...

Yami mirrored Yugi's smile, though it didn't match his other's very closely. More of a devilish grin than the excited, boyish expression Yugi was currently wearing. He was a little bit worried about what would happen, but he also had become familiar with the Mutous in his time with Yugi; they weren't the type of people to ignore someone in need. He wouldn't be thrown out. They'd be suspicious, naturally, but despite the fact that Yugi never asked for much he more often than not got his way when he wanted something.

And he could make himself useful until he managed to find his feet, both financially and otherwise. He wasn't completely helpless. Just a little behind in the times.

But first. We should tease the others with this.

Yugi knew exactly where he was heading with this. It was hard not to with that smirk on the other's face.

That'd be mean! It was a weak protest, considering his own smile and the way he chuckled in his thoughts. It only became weaker when his next question, hesitant yet excited, was sent to Yami. ... What are we going to do to them?